A social worker is a broad term that encompasses professionals who work in a variety of settings to help individuals, families, and communities overcome challenges. A social worker typically holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW) or a related field, such as psychology or sociology. With this degree, they can work in various settings such as schools, healthcare, or community organizations, providing support and connecting clients with resources. However, social workers with only a BSW are not trained or licensed to diagnose or treat mental health conditions.
A clinical social worker usually holds a Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) and has completed additional specialized training in therapy and mental health diagnosis. They are licensed to provide mental health services, such as counseling and psychotherapy, and are trained to assess and treat emotional, behavioral, and psychological disorders. Clinical social workers must complete supervised clinical experience after earning their MSW and pass a licensing exam to practice independently.
In short, while both social workers and clinical social workers offer support, clinical social workers have higher educational requirements and are licensed to diagnose and treat mental health conditions.
Related Careers
Cognitive Ethologist
A cognitive ethologist is a researcher who specializes in studying animal behavior with a focus on understanding the cognitive processes underlying it.
Neuroethologist
Neuroethologists are scientists who study how the nervous systems of animals generate behavior in their natural environments.
Applied Ethologist
Applied ethologists are scientists who utilize principles of animal behavior and ethology – the scientific study of animal behavior – to address practical issues related to animal welfare, management, and conservation.
Animal Behaviorist
An animal behaviorist studies the behavior of animals and applies scientific principles to understand, predict, and modify their behavior.
Comparative Ethologist
A comparative ethologist is a scientist who studies animal behavior across different species or groups of animals to understand the evolution, development, and function of behavioral traits.
Comparative Animal Psychologist
Comparative animal psychologists are researchers who study the behavior, cognition, and emotions of animals.
